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Md-80 captain reported encountering wake turbulence from preceding A321 during takeoff from dfw airport resulting in an uncommanded 45 degree bank.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1466359 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201707 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | DFW.Airport |
| State Reference | TX |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | A321 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter |
Narrative:
Cleared for takeoff before preceding A321 was yet airborne; so appears we had minimum legal spacing. Winds were just about calm. At about 200 AGL encountered first of three wake turbulence events; the next two both below approximately 1500 AGL. In fact just before rotation for takeoff I felt vortices try to pull nose left of centerline but was able to correct. The first wake encounter at about 200 ft rolled wings greater than 45 degrees left; then right as I worked to recover level wings. Then we encountered two more instances that required about full aileron deflection from the control yoke to regain level flight. It was one of the worst wake encounters I have experienced in my 28 years at [company].medium category aircraft following medium category aircraft per definition is ok; in theory anyway. However; I believe more distance is needed following heavier A321 takeoffs. I have a fair amount of flight time in an MD80 so it was not too hard to fly through (although surprising to have three rapid roll events) but I wonder if the same could be said for the next; 'newer on equipment' pilot to be surprised by this type of encounter. Hopefully that pilot will not over control the recovery maneuver/maneuvers.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: MD-80 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence from preceding A321 during takeoff from DFW airport resulting in an uncommanded 45 degree bank.
Narrative: Cleared for takeoff before preceding A321 was yet airborne; so appears we had minimum legal spacing. Winds were just about calm. At about 200 AGL encountered first of three wake turbulence events; the next two both below approximately 1500 AGL. In fact just before rotation for takeoff I felt vortices try to pull nose left of centerline but was able to correct. The first wake encounter at about 200 ft rolled wings greater than 45 degrees left; then right as I worked to recover level wings. Then we encountered two more instances that required about full aileron deflection from the control yoke to regain level flight. It was one of the worst wake encounters I have experienced in my 28 years at [company].Medium Category aircraft following Medium Category aircraft per definition is OK; in theory anyway. However; I believe more distance is needed following heavier A321 takeoffs. I have a fair amount of flight time in an MD80 so it was not too hard to fly through (although surprising to have three rapid roll events) but I wonder if the same could be said for the next; 'newer on equipment' pilot to be surprised by this type of encounter. Hopefully that pilot will not over control the recovery maneuver/maneuvers.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.